Orthotopic equine study confirms the pivotal importance of structural reinforcement over the pre-culture of cartilage implants.

ABSTRACT: In articular cartilage (AC), the collagen arcades provide the tissue with its extraordinary mechanical properties. As these structures cannot be restored once damaged, functional restoration of AC defects remains a major challenge. We report that the use of a converged bioprinted, osteochondral implant, based on a gelatin methacryloyl cartilage phase, reinforced with precisely patterned melt electrowritten polycaprolactone micrometer-scale fibers in a zonal fashion, inspired by native collagen architecture, can provide long-term mechanically stable neo-tissue in an orthotopic large animal model. The design of this novel implant was achieved via state-of-the-art converging of extrusion-based ceramic printing, melt electrowriting, and extrusion-based bioprinting. Interestingly, the cell-free

SUBMITTER: de Ruijter M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10771555 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature